Fake Charities Begin To Prey

As South Floridians opened their hearts and checkbooks to victims of the terror attacks, state officials on Thursday urged caution, warning that scam artists have begun to circle.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said telemarketers posing as charities had persuaded several people in Central Florida to give out their credit card numbers over the telephone. The charities turned out to be false, said Jennifer McCord, a spokeswoman for the agency.

"If you have received phone calls from supposed charities that ask for your credit card, call 1-800 HELP-FLA and let us know," McCord said. "The bottom line is, we're telling people, `Don't give your credit card number out over the phone.'"

The warnings came amid what some charity leaders called an overwhelming outpouring of financial support, as their requests shifted from blood donations to cash.

"We have received many, many calls from people wanting to help," said Marla Sugarman of the United Way of Palm Beach County.

The agency raised $45,000 for its national "September 11 Fund" during a telephone drive Tuesday night after joining with TV stations to spread the word. United Way officials in New York said 100 percent of the donations will go to support health and human service needs in that city.

Firefighters from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties started campaigns to raise money for the International Association of Firefighters Disaster Relief Fund in Washington. Money will be used to support the families of those who lost a loved one, said Russ Chard, president of the Hollywood Professional Firefighters' union. Firefighters plan to conduct a "fill the boot" campaign Sept. 20, 21 and 22, asking motorists at intersections to drop cash in their firefighters' boots.

"There's not enough you can do," Chard said. "It just drives home the point that it could be any one of us on any day we go to work."

In one of the more creative fund-raising efforts, a restaurant in Lake Worth donated sales of a lunch special to the American Red Cross.

Barbie Kianka, owner of the Boat House, 3801 10th Ave. North, decided the appropriate menu item would be an "All-American" bacon cheeseburger with fries, at $5.95 each. She sold 100 of them during Thursday's lunch rush.

"Plus, we also collected $140 in donations," Kianka said. "It's not a lot of work when you're trying to help people."

Even the cash-strapped Miami City Commission joined the spirit on Thursday, voting to set aside a $500,000 to match people's donations to charities.

The Sun-Sentinel is joining with the CBS affiliate in Miami, WFOR-Ch. 4 and Simon Malls to create a "First Aid For America" fund. The foundation of the Sun-Sentinel's parent company, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, has pledged up to $2.5 million in matching dollars for gifts to its news organizations' fundraising efforts.

The United Way of Broward County is holding a fund-raising drive today at Sawgrass Mills, in its Oasis area at Sunrise Boulevard and Flamingo Road.

"People have been asking if they can donate food or clothing, but the number one way to help is really financial, because the need will be long-term," said Connie Hernandez, spokeswoman for the United Way of Broward County.

As the appeals continue, the state's Division of Consumer Services offered suggestions for giving wisely.

"Make sure that this is an organization that has been registered to solicit contributions, and not just some fly-by-night," said Rudy Hamrick, a regulator with the division's Solicitation of Contributions department.

Charities must be registered with the state. Groups raising money for registered charities must have the group's explicit permission. To find out if a group is registered, call 1-800-HELP-FLA.

Hamrick also advised making donations by check rather than cash, and giving to organizations you are familiar with.

"We know that this thing is coming because any time there is some sort of calamity, we begin to get individuals who prey upon that," Hamrick said. "While we certainly think that you ought to give generously, make sure that the appeal being made to you is legitimate."

Stacey Singer can be reached at ssinger@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6616.